On this day in 1980: Diana Ross started a four week run at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Upside Down.”
“Upside Down” was written and produced by Chic members Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. It was recorded by American singer Diana Ross. The song was issued from Motown as the lead single in 1980, from her eleventh studio album, ‘Diana.’ “Upside Down” hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on September 6, 1980. It also hit #1 on the Billboard Disco and Soul charts. The single was released a full four weeks after the album was released. It held down the #1 spot for four weeks.
“Upside Down” was also a big hit internationally, topping the singles charts in Sweden, Italy, Norway, and Switzerland, while reaching number five in Canada. It also rose to #2 on the UK Singles Chart, marking the highest peak performance from Ross as a solo artist since “I’m Still Waiting” in 1971.
Here’s a look at the Top 20 on the U.S. singles chart from this day back in 1980:
1 2 UPSIDE DOWN –•– Diana Ross (Motown)-9 (1 week at #1) (1)
2 1 SAILING –•– Christopher Cross (Warner Brothers)-13 (1)
3 4 EMOTIONAL RESCUE –•– The Rolling Stones (Rolling Stones)-10 (3)
4 7 ALL OUT OF LOVE –•– Air Supply (Arista)-13 (4)
5 6 FAME –•– Irene Cara (RSO)-13 (5)
6 3 MAGIC –•– Olivia Newton-John (MCA)-16 (1)
7 8 GIVE ME THE NIGHT –•– George Benson (Warner Brothers / Qwest)-10 (7)
8 5 TAKE YOUR TIME (Do It Right) (Part 1) –•– The S.O.S. Band (Tabu)-15 (3)
9 11 LATE IN THE EVENING –•– Paul Simon (Warner Brothers)-5 (9)
10 13 LOOKIN’ FOR LOVE –•– Johnny Lee (Full Moon)-9 (10)
11 12 INTO THE NIGHT –•– Benny Mardones (Polydor)-13 (11)
12 9 LET MY LOVE OPEN THE DOOR –•– Pete Townshend (Atco)-13 (9)
13 16 DRIVIN’ MY LIFE AWAY –•– Eddie Rabbitt (Elektra)-12 (13)
14 10 MORE LOVE –•– Kim Carnes (EMI-America)-15 (10)
15 14 IT’S STILL ROCK AND ROLL TO ME –•– Billy Joel (Columbia)-16 (1)
16 26 ONE IN A MILLION YOU –•– Larry Graham (Warner Brothers)-11 (16)
17 19 YOU’RE THE ONLY WOMAN (You & I) –•– Ambrosia (Warner Brothers)-9 (17)
18 22 YOU’LL ACCOMP’NY ME –•– Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band (Capitol)-7 (18)
19 21 BOULEVARD –•– Jackson Browne (Asylum)-10 (19)
20 20 OLD-FASHION LOVE –•– The Commodores (Motown)-12 (20)
On this day in 1985: ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ went on general release in the U.K., the movie featured Madonna and Rosanna Arquette. The filmmakers had initially wanted Diane Keaton and Goldie Hawn to play the roles of Roberta and Susan, but the director decided to cast newcomers Rosanna Arquette and Madonna instead.
On this day in 1986: Bananarama went to #1 on the U.S. singles chart with ‘Venus’, the song had also been a #1 for Dutch group Shocking Blue back in 1970. It would spend one week in the top spot.
“Venus” had been a part of Bananarama’s repertoire for several years before they actually recorded it. The group’s three members had the idea of turning the song into a dance tune, but they were met with resistance from their producers at the time. After persistence by the women, their producers relented. Bananarama’s “Venus” peaked at #1 in the United States, Australia, Finland, New Zealand, Switzerland, and South Africa, while reaching #2 in Germany and the Top 10 in Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and their native United Kingdom. It also topped the U.S. Hot Dance chart chart for two weeks.
Let’s take a look at the entire Top 20 on the U.S. singles chart from this day back in 1986:
1 2 VENUS –•– Bananarama (London)-11 (1 Week at #1) (1)
2 4 TAKE MY BREATH AWAY –•– Berlin (Columbia)-12 (2)
3 1 HIGHER LOVE –•– Steve Winwood (Island)-13 (1)
4 5 DANCING ON THE CEILING –•– Lionel Richie (Motown)-8 (4)
5 6 FRIENDS & LOVERS –Gloria Loring & Carl Anderson (USA Carrere)-10 (5)
6 9 STUCK WITH YOU –•– Huey Lewis & The News (Chrysalis)-6 (6)
7 7 SWEET FREEDOM –•– Michael McDonald (MCA)-13 (7)
8 13 WORDS GET IN THE WAY –•– Miami Sound Machine featuring Gloria Estefan (Epic)-13 (8)
9 3 PAPA DON’T PREACH –•– Madonna (Sire)-11 (1)
10 15 WALK THIS WAY –•– Run-D.M.C. & Aerosmith (Profile)-7 (10)
11 14 BABY LOVE –•– Regina (Atlantic)-12 (11)
12 8 RUMORS –•– Timex Social Club (Jay)-13 (8)
13 18 DON’T FORGET ME (When I’m Gone) –•–Glass Tiger (Manhattan)-9 (13)
14 23 DREAMTIME –•– Daryl Hall (RCA)-6 (14)
15 22 LOVE ZONE –•– Billy Ocean (Jive)-7 (15)
16 19 MAN SIZE LOVE –•– Klymaxx (MCA)-10 (16)
17 24 THE CAPTAIN OF HER HEART –•– Double (A&M)-11 (17)
18 12 GLORY OF LOVE –•– Peter Cetera (Full Moon / Warner Brothers)-14 (1)
19 16 YANKEE ROSE –•– David Lee Roth (Warner Brothers)-10 (16)
20 10 MAD ABOUT YOU –•– Belinda Carlisle (I.R.S.)-17 (3)
